What does belabor mean?
Belabor is a verb that means to talk or write about something at length, often in a tedious or unnecessary way. It can imply that someone is being overly verbose or dwelling on a point excessively. In academic or formal settings, belabor is often used to describe a speaker or writer who is being tedious or unnecessary in their explanation. The word has a negative connotation, suggesting that the speaker or writer is not being concise or clear. Belabor can be used in a variety of contexts, including academic writing, public speaking, and everyday conversation. It is an important word to understand, as it can help individuals communicate more effectively and avoid being tedious or unnecessary in their explanations.
verbTo talk or write about something at length, often in a tedious or unnecessary way; to dwell on a point or detail excessively.
- To talk or write about something at length, often in a tedious or unnecessary way
"She began to belabor the obvious point, making it difficult for her audience to follow her argument."
"She began to belabor the obvious point, making it difficult for her audience to follow her argument."
"The professor belabored the details of the complex theory, losing his students in the process."
The plural form of belabor is used to describe multiple instances of talking or writing about something at length, often in a tedious or unnecessary way.
"The professor belabored the details of the complex theory, losing his students in the process."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of belabor
The word belabor is derived from the Old French word 'labourer', which means 'to toil' or 'to work'. It is related to the Latin word 'laborem', which means 'toil' or 'work'. The word has been used in the English language since the 15th century, initially meaning 'to toil' or 'to work'. Over time, its meaning expanded to include the idea of talking or writing about something at length, often in a tedious or unnecessary way.
Usage notes
Belabor can have a negative connotation, implying that someone is being tedious or unnecessary in their explanation. It is often used in academic or formal settings to describe a speaker or writer who is being overly verbose.